Eat healthily: could food replace medicine?
Our diet is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. The effects on our immune system are undisputed. Certain diseases don’t stand a chance when faced with healthy food choices. But could food ever replace medicine? Read on to discover the potential and limits of food and a healthy diet.
The key points
- A healthy diet boosts the immune system and can reduce the risk of contracting certain diseases.
- Food supplements are usually unnecessary and should only be taken if a person has a proven deficiency.
- A health-conscious diet can alleviate symptoms, but is not a substitute for medication for serious diseases.
- Proper storage of food in refrigerators and freezers can help to preserve nutrients and extend the shelf life.
Eat healthily – tips for the immune system
Pathogens, such as certain bacteria and viruses, are part of everyday life. Our immune system does its best to recognize and fight harmful pathogens to keep us healthy. To do this, it needs energy and nutrients, which we provide it with through the food we eat. By consciously selecting nutrient-rich foods and reducing factors which could weaken the immune system, we are supporting the body’s own defences.
Vitamin C, vitamin D and zinc are particularly important for our immune system. However, many other vitamins and minerals also support the work done by our immune cells. By the same token, highly-processed foods with excessive fat, sugar and salt tend to have a detrimental effect. We can have a positive effect on our health by eating healthily.
Eat healthily: say goodbye to food supplements
But it turns out... more is merrier. Food supplements only make sense in exceptional cases. They are often superfluous. And for some micronutrients, too high a dose may even have a negative effect. You should therefore only consume food supplements after consulting a medical expert, if you have a nutrient deficiency. It’s also important to adhere to the recommended dose of these products.
The good news: finding the right level of micronutrients is not that difficult. It is, in general, impossible to consume too many of them in your diet. A varied and balanced diet provides sufficient vitamins and minerals so that there is no chance of being deficient.
Get healthy through nutrition: look after your body
So how can I eat healthily? Preferably choose fresh and natural foods. Three servings of vegetables and two servings of fruit a day are ideal. In addition, high-quality oils (such as virgin olive oil), nuts, seeds, whole grains and fermented products, such as yoghurt, make an important contribution to the health of our immune system. The more varied and balanced, the better the all-round supply of all important nutrients.
Proper storage of food in a refrigerator or freezer is crucial for preserving its freshness and nutrient content. You can reduce the amount of food that goes off or is wasted by setting the appliance to the correct temperature and humidity level. Refrigerators from Liebherr feature innovative technologies like BioFresh. They keep fruit, vegetables, fish, meat and dairy products fresh for much longer at the ideal temperature and humidity level. This preserves vitamins and flavor.
Healthy eating, exercise, sleep or relaxation are all important for our well being and the prevention of diseases.
Diet and health: food versus medicine
No disease-related effects whatsoever may be attributed to food and food supplements. Curing, alleviating or preventing diseases is a task for medicines alone. They are highly concentrated products. Their production and approval for consumers are regulated by drug laws. Even though they can provide great relief from disease, side effects are possible. The dosage of the individual ingredients is subject to strict controls and medicines should be taken only when medically necessary and preferably in consultation with a doctor.
Thus, in the event of medical necessity, food is not a substitute for medicine. Sometimes medicines can become redundant following a change in diet. This particularly applies to complaints caused by malnutrition, e.g. heartburn, which can be cured by a change in diet. However, if the complaints are not related to nutrition or in the case of a serious existing condition, it is usually necessary to take medication.
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